DISKURS 2015

DISKURS 15 will explore the many relationships of thought and discourse to space. Space can be seen as production of thought – of its perception and representation, but also its architectural planning and design. But conversally, as no thought can take place outside space, it is material and social spaces that shape discourse, allow for the circulation of distinctive ideas and regulate communication. Can new thoughts open up spaces? Or do they need new spaces in order to become even thinkable?

DISKURS 15 is consciously, critically and resistantly grounded in space. It will take place in the building of the Old University Library of Giessen, itself a historical statement on the relation of space and discourse. Here DISKURS 15 will establish a space both abstract and concrete: the Bodenstation (ground control). The Bodenstation will not function like a usual festival center, but as a stage, display, topos and aesthetic object itself. It will center the mental, social and physical spaces of the festival. The Bodenstation is form, content and discourse, a production place to be produced.

! ! ! We Are Especially Interested In the Following Aspects ! ! !

SPACE_AND_ARCHTITECTURE_

The Old University Library will not be used as a mere venue and a neutral frame for the art presented inside. Instead, we want to explore, reflect and overwrite its architectural design and the many representational settings it offers. Thus, we are looking for works to be realized in non-traditional spatial displays like shop windows, staircases, corridors, inner courtyards, stockrooms etc. We hope to find the perfect place for your work in the building complex. If needed, we still can offer one fully-equipped blackbox stage and one whitecube stage outside the building for presentations.

AESTHETIC_AND_FUNCTIONAL_SPACES

We also want to experience and reflect the concrete spaces the festival itself inhabits, occupies, opens or forecloses. Apart from autonomuos aesthetic spaces to be established, we are especially looking for works which aesthetically could perform a non-aesthetic function of the festival, like bar, ticket booth, dining room, library, conference room, dormitory etc.

SPACES_AS_PROCESS

We do not want to present spatial works only as static objects, but rather as living processes amidst in their creation and change. They could be realized by collaborating with local students or the public, prepared during the week before and permanently changed and developped further throughout the festival itself. We are open to whatever creative process your work requires.

COLLISIONS_AND_COALITIONS

Thus, if before and during the festival different creative processes overlap and interfere in the space, this is not at all unwanted. We will protect the integrity every work needs, but also want to encourage artists to allow for planned and unplanned collisions and coalitions of their works with others: opening up your designed space for other ‘s lectures or concerts, performing in someone else’s scenography or having your installation be seen in different light designs – we want to explore the potentials and limits of shared space with both the visitors and the artists.

INTERACTIVITY

We want to create a space where manifold connections between artists, students, scholars, journalists and the general public are possible. Therefore, we expect artists to be open for a critical exchange on the works presented. We are also interested in works and projects that allow for collaboration or participation with the public – the local art scene and many committed students are very appreciative of such an approach.

We are interested in works from any genre - performance, dance, architecture, installation, sound, light, music etc.

TO APPLY
please send a detailed description including technical requirements of a selected work / proposal / concept along with a budget proposal as well as an informal CV. Please supply us with a link for videos or further material of previous and/or current works if available.
Send in your application by 30 / 06 / 2015 to CALL@DISKURSFESTIVAL.DE.
PLEASE SEND all documents in one PDF file! The filesize of the e-mail should not exceed
2MB.

DISKURS 15 is organised by students and will take over travelling expenses, transport charges, and accommodation. Also all participating artists will get a fee.